Peach tree name ‘JULIENICE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated ‘JULIENICE’, has a higher earlier bloom and bigger fruit of longer shelf life. Moreover, trees are very vigorous.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2005/0900 filed on May 18, 2005 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica L. Batsch—Yellow Peach.

Variety denomination: ‘JULIENICE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Prunuspersica L. Batsch yellow peach tree. This tree, named ‘JULIENICE’,produces very long lifetime, good eating quality, clingstone flesh fruitfor fresh market in August in the 66—Pyrénées Orientalesdepartement—France. Contrast is made to ‘MAILLARGOOD’ (unpatented)peach, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘JULIENICE’ is apromising candidate for commercial success in that it has a higherearlier bloom and bigger fruit of longer shelf life. Moreover, trees arevery vigorous.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘JULIENICE’ peach tree originated in a cultivated area of the south ofFrance, in the 66—Pyrénées Orientales departement—France where it wastested. This place is under a Mediterranean climate in a temperate areacharacterized by irregular and low precipitation with drought in summer,high temperatures all year long. The ‘JULIENICE’ variety was obtained bycontrolled sowing of a seed resulting from an open-pollination of the‘MAILLARGOOD’ (unpatented) variety. ‘JULIENICE’ was provisionallydesignated and tested as 01.24.14 PJ and is registered at the OfficialCatalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic Dec. 29,2004 under number 1016563. The new variety was obtained fromopen-pollination and is propagated by grafting. It has been determinedto have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thisstandard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plantsremained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the treeand the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by usin Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE,Pyrénées Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree blooms in March at Perpignanin the Pyrénées Orientales departement, France. More particularly, itblooms at the same time as the variety ‘MAILLARGOOD’, between 9^(th) and22^(nd) of March.

The first fruit of ‘JULIENICE’ ripens at the end of August and beginningof September, 10 days after the ‘O HENRY MERCIL’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.4,399) variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens betweenAugust 26^(th) and September 5^(th).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a colour illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a colour photograph which shows the flesh of the fruit of thenew variety ‘JULIENICE’.

FIG. 2 is a colour photograph which shows a typical specimen of thefruit of the new variety ‘JULIENICE’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘JULIENICE’ is high, due toits fruit early ripening, and fruit evenness of maturity.

Trees are very vigorous and medium to large stature half-standing in asemi-upright to semi-spread out aspect. The flowering shoot is presentexcluding brushwoods side away from sun. Flowering begins medium inspringtime. The type of flower is showy with relative medium to largepetal size. Petals are pink. Three to four leaf glands are present andreniform. Time of maturity for consumption is late. The fruit flesh isyellow. The stone is medium size and the flesh is adherent.

Compared to ‘MAILLARGOOD’ variety, ‘JULIENICE’ variety blooms 2 daysbefore and has more flowers 30 to 35 per meter instead of 25 to 30flowers per meter for ‘MAILLARGOOD’. Fruit setting is very good, nearly100%, which is better than for the variety ‘MAILLARGOOD’. ‘JULIENICE’variety has an older maturity, 4 days after ‘MAILLARDGOOD’. ‘JULIENICE’variety is more vigorous. The fruit of ‘JULIENICE’ variety tastesbalanced and aromatic whereas the fruit of ‘MAILLARGOOD’ tastesacidulated. ‘JULIENICE’ fruit are bigger than ‘MAILLARGOOD’ fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed, if notdifferently specified, during the second fruiting season under theecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located in Elne, in thePyrénées Orientales departement, France. All observations have been doneon rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘FRANC INRA MONTCLAR’(unpatented) tree. All major color code designations are by reference toThe R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The RoyalHorticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium to large as compared to other            common commercial peach cultivars ripening in the medium            season of maturity. The tree size the first year was            approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. So            the tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 330 cm with current season shoots            length comprised.-   Spread: Approximately 200 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole    orchard was oriented to a central leader organisation, with tree    lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same    tree line. As a result, the orchard contains 2500 trees by hectare.-   Vigor: Considered moderately vigorous.-   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to    develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The    number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic    conditions, and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,    and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety.-   Bearer: Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit on 4 was necessary every    year during the past 5 years. Thinning must remain slight because of    fruit magnifying potential.-   Form: The ‘JULIENICE’ variety has naturally a semi-upright to    semi-spread shape.-   Density: Considered dense.-   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The    variety appears to be hardy under typical central Pyrénées    Orientales departement climatic conditions. Experimentations on    different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between    350 and 1200 hours showed a good behavior of the tree in all cases.    Ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius caused no    damages to the tree. The tree was also very resistant to frosty    springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 6.0 and 6.5 cm in diameter when    measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level.-   Bark texture: Considered slightly rough, with folds of papery    scarfskin being present.-   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels range in    size from 4.0 to 5.0 mm in width, and between 2.0 and 3.0 mm in    height.-   Lenticel colour: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color    (varying from RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the inside    is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).-   Bark colouration: The bark has a silver-grey color a little darker    than the lenticels (varying from RHS Grey 201 C to RHS Black 202 C).

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches as well as current season shoots are medium to    thick for the variety.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other peach varieties. The current    season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 10.0 millimeters, and    branches of trees have a diameter comprised between 20.0 and 30.0    millimeters.-   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no    furrowed appearance.-   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the    crotch angles are generally between 60 and 65 degrees from the    horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not considered    distinctive of the variety, however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.-   Internode length: Generally 26.0 to 32.0 millimeters.-   Colour of mature branches: Medium grey-brown (varying from RHS Grey    Brown 199 C to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Colour.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light            green (varying from RHS Green 143 C to D) on lower part of            new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in reddish            brown (varying from RHS Greyed Red 182 B to C), darkening            when more exposed to the sun.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf measurements    have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at    approximately mid-shoot.-   Leaf length: Approximately 154 to 187 millimeters without the    petiole.-   Leaf width: Approximately 35 to 40 millimeters.-   Leaf base shape: Concave.-   Leaf form: Lanceolate.-   Leaf tip form: Acuminate and small.-   Leaf colour:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (varying from RHS Green 137 B to            137 C).-   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Colour.—Light green (varying from RHS Yellow Green 144 D to            144 C).-   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating.-   Form: Considered slightly dentate.-   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last    case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one or two smaller    leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium, between 1.5 and 2.0 millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally between 3 and 4: 2 on the petiole and 1 to            2 on the leaf.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Colour.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands            color turns to a dark brown (varying from RHS Grey Brown 199            A to 199 B).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Generally: Observations have been made on Mar. 2, 2008.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0            millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Colour.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple-brown color            (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by petals, is            generally of pale pink color (varying from RHS Red Purple 65            A to B). Petals color shows an evolution until the end of            flowering. The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées Orientales departement climatic conditions.-   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years    of evaluation in the central Pyrénées Orientales departement, with    winter temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius in January. The    current variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or    heat stress, but the variety showed a good resistance in orchard to    temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average temperature    between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.-   Date of bloom: Generally March. The first bloom, observed on Feb.    24, 2002, was exceptionally early. Second and third bloom took place    respectively on Mar. 13, 2003 and Mar. 9, 2004.-   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to    other commercial peach cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales    departement, France. The date of full bloom is observed on March,    more particularly between March 4^(th) and 22^(th). The date of    bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural    practices.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 14 days. This characteristic varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.-   Flower size: Considered of medium to large size. Flower diameter at    full bloom is approximately 35.0 to about 41.0 millimeters.-   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately about 35 flowers    per meter.-   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,    occasionally 1.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large for the species.-   Length: Generally about 23.0 millimeters.-   Width: Generally about 20.5 millimeters.-   Petal form: Rounded.-   Petal count: 5.-   Petal texture: Smooth and glabrous.-   Petal colour: Pink (varying from RHS Red Purple 65 A to RHS Red    Purple 65 B) when young, darkening with advancing senescence.-   Fragrance: Slight.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a            slighty rounded extremity.        -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 7.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.-   Petal margins: Generally very slightly undulated.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip,            dome-shaped.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long and having an average length            of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Colour.—Brown to Light Brown (varying from RHS Grey Brown            N199 B to C).-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Colour.—A flat yellowish orange (varying from RHS Greyed Red            178 C to D).-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.            Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Size.—Generally medium-sized.        -   Colour.—A Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A).-   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 40 stamens per    flower.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Medium in length.        -   Color.—Orange-Yellow (varying from RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to            B). Anthers are becoming brown after maturity (RHS Greyed            Purple Group 178 A).-   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color    (varying from RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The present variety is    considered self fruitful (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 12.0 to 16.0            millimeters in length. In all cases filament's length is            superior or equal to pistil's length.-   Color: Considered light pink (varying from RHS Red Purple 62 C to D)    to darker pink (varying from RHS Red Purple 73 A to B) with    advancing senescence.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Generally 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 19.0 millimeters including the            ovary; Smaller or equal to filament's length.        -   Colour.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS            Yellow Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).        -   Surface texture.—The variety has a glabrous pistil, but the            ovary presents a pubescence.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of first picking: Aug. 26, 2002. The date of harvest varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.-   Date of last picking: Sep. 5, 2002, only 2 harvests in 10 days were    necessary.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large to very large, and uniform.-   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 65.0 to 75.0 millimeters-   Average axial diameter: Approximately 63.0 to 67.0 millimeters-   Typical weight: Approximately between 260.0 and 290.0 grams. This    characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural    practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the    variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Rounded and very slightly flat. The fruit is            generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.-   Fruit suture: Shallow, extending from the base to the apex. No    apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Colour.—This has generally a color similar to the fruit skin            color, a red blush (varying from RHS Greyed Purple 183 A            to B) on a Red-orange (varying from RHS N34A to N34B) ground            color.-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.-   Apex: Slightly depressed, very small, not prominent.-   Base: Shallow.-   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 20 mm.    Average width is about 16 to 18 mm.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered thick and strong, and tenacious to the            flesh to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on            stage of maturity.        -   Texture.—Very slightly pubescent.        -   Taste.—Balanced and sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—Generally none observed.-   Colour:    -   -   Blush colour.—This blush colour is generally red (varying            from RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B). The red blush covers 80%            to 90% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the            blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally            dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the            fruit was grown.        -   Ground colour.—Red-orange (varying from RHS Orange Red Group            N34A to N34B) on 10 to 20% of the fruit skin surface.-   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately around 7.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately around 4.0 millimeters.-   Colour: Pale green (varying from RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenous, long shelf-life of the            fruit.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity            stage.        -   Fibers.—Generally none observed.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered balanced. The Brix is superior to 13.0            degrees. Acidity is comprised between 9 and 12 meq/100 ml.            The flavor is considered aromatic. The flesh is juicy.        -   Juice.—Jucy to very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions, and can be much more higher.        -   Flesh colour.—Yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 16A) with a slight            star-shaped red pigmentation (varying from RHS Orange Red            Group N34A to N34B) around the stone.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Size: Considered medium to large for the variety. The stone size    varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and    prevailing growing conditions.-   Length: Approximately between 31.0 and 34.0 millimeters.-   Width: Approximately between 24.0 and 26.0 millimeters.-   Diameter: Approximately around 16.0 millimeters.-   Form: Flat.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is very sharp.-   Stone cavity: Considered of medium to large size, with dimensions    corresponding to stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Around 2.0 mm.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Grooved.-   Stone colour: The color of the dry stone is generally considered a    light Orange Brown (RHS Greyed Orange 176 D) to a Red Brown (RHS    Greyed Red 178 D).-   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent or very low, depending on    climatic conditions between blooming period and stone hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.        -   Length.—About 19.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 11.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—About 3.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered flat and elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Colour.—The kernel skin is a light yellowish orange (RHS            Greyed Orange 167 C) with darker strikes (RHS Greyed Orange            166 C). The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange Chite 159 D).            The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.-   Use: The subject variety ‘JULIENICE’ is considered to be a peach    tree of the late season of maturity, and which produces fruit that    are considered very firm, attractively coloured. Fruits are    excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or at full maturity, and    very aromatic. They are useful for both local and very long distance    shipping, with a shelf life of few weeks after harvest.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit stayed a little more than one week on    tree before harvest and then, has stored well until 2 to 3 weeks    after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They have a slow maturation and    a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after    harvesting without alteration.-   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new peach    variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after    being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities    were noted. The present variety has not been shown to be very    sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due    to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear the town of ELNE, FRANCE, it should be understood that variationsof the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes ingrowing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control andhorticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as herein illustrated anddescribed.